10th November 2020

Woodborough
Doug Nicholls

​Woodborough station was some 78 and a quarter miles from London Paddington was opened in 1862 The station closed to passengers on the 18th April 1966 and to goods on the 15th August 1966.
There were up and down platforms both which were some 100 yards long and started immediately to the west of a substantial road overbridge which served a road connection to the north for the hamlet of Woodborough which recently had  a population of  about 900. The up platform boasted a signalbox,
Passenger accommodation comprised of a small shelter on the up side with a more substantial building not unlike that at Pewsey which incidentally was also on the down side.
The station has loops approximately 900 yards long on both the up and down sides they leave and join their respective  the main lines about 110 yards west of the overbridge.  There is a trailing cross over between the up and down main lines located some 45 yards west  from the road overbridge.
The down loop is simply just that, a refuge. However the up loop has a trailing point at the east end leading to two sidings each of about two hundred yards in length.

Woodborough july 1968 Copyright Doug Nicholls - Copy

A D10xx Western Class diesel bursts on the scene at Woodborough with the 3C05 milk empties. September 1968. Copyright Doug Nicholls.

A close up of a track machine a Woodborough. September 1968. Copyright Dough Nicholls.

1044 Western Duchess is hauling the 1a63 train through Woodborough in July 1968. Copyright Doug Nicholls.

Many thanks to Doug for the use of his images, a record of the site of a long gone station.
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Motive power on the Paignton, Exeter, Waterloo services in 1980. (1)
Exeter St Thomas
Paul Barlow

25058 approaches Exeter St Thomas on a Newton Abbot to Exeter ECS working 23 August 1980.Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul

Mystery picture from
Michael Manning

This picture sent in by Michael Manning prompted several replies and suggestions.

Andrew Jones clearly marks the position of the bridge on this map.

On this map kindly sent in by Dave Anthony has the bonus of not only the footbridge position but also clear details of the siding arrangement serving the Town Quay area at Wadebridge.

Many thanks to Andrew Jones and Dave Anthony who appear to have finally fixed the location.  Maybe a double track width bridge was installed with a view to accommodating a second track should the traffic to Padstow have justified doubling. 
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​In addition Dave Anthony also sent this recommendation of a video:-
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​Hi guys..

I think this bridge is actually a short distance from the level crossing at Wadebridge, on the Padstow side, marked as FB on the attached NLS map.

Also at seen at about 4.45 on this video on a unit travelling from Padstow in towards Wadebridge.

http://cornishmemory.com/item/MISC_260_03

Cheers Dave Anthony
And as a P.S. Dave included this :-

Eddystone Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pChwpBgKwa8ozP5b9

In the original photo I believe you can just make out the spire of Wadebridge town hall under the bridge, between the loco and the building. On this modern  day Google map, the footbridge would be where the crossroad is directly in front.

Cheers again, Dave.

Try pasting the Cornish Memory link into your Google Search Box - and enjoy a fascinating ride from Padstow to Bodmin Road.  The pictures vary in brightness quite a bit - perhaps this is best played via your TV where you can vary the brilliance as needed.  Many thanks to you Dave for your contributions.

Ruthern Bridge
Andrew Jones

 I have attached photographs of the railway retaining wall protecting the Grogley to Nanstallon road junction. Works start Monday the 9th November to repair recent damage to a wall that has incredibly withstood two world wars and is possibly still in its original built state, a testament to the workmanship, being not far off its 200th anniversary.
Following the formation towards Grogley there is only one 50 metre stretch where the road was widened in the 1960,s and now encroaches the route. The line is a remarkable survivor and appears to have escaped any major damage during the recent Grogley weir works. Hopefully the Cornwall Archaeology unit will eventually provide the formal protection needed for this valuable asset.


Best wishes Andrew and Diane

The retaining wall Grogley to Nanstallon road junction. 9th November 2020. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

You have been warned - sorry I'm a day late (KJ) but the signs weren't. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

Many thanks to you both.